‘On this most crucial of questions, I believe it is entirely right to go back to the people and ask them to confirm their decision to leave the EU and, if they choose to do that, to give them the final say on whether we leave with the Prime Minister’s deal or without it.’

A Downing Street spokesman said: ‘The referendum in 2016 was the biggest democratic exercise in this country’s history.

‘We will not under any circumstances have a second referendum. The Prime Minister thanks Jo Johnson for his work in Government.’

His older brother Boris wrote on Twitter after the announcement: ‘Boundless admiration as ever for my brother Jo. We may not have agreed about Brexit but we are united in dismay at the intellectually and politically indefensible of the UK position.

‘This is not taking back control. It is a surrender of control. It does not remotely correspond to the mandate of the people in June 2016.’